Even Rosalind was shocked by Alaric's declaration that she had won.
There was no way that could be right...
Sabine rose to her feet immediately, her expression shifting from shock to anger in an instant.
How could the viscount's daughter be placed above her?
And she was right, because the moment Rosalind's canvas was turned for all to see, their mouths fell open in disbelief.
This… this was what the king intended to reward?
Lady Evelina herself looked surprised, though she said nothing. She knew better than to challenge the king and simply kept her silence, trusting that Alaric knew what he was doing.
Meanwhile Sabine, who never knew when to hold her tongue, could not contain herself and immediately blurted out, "Your Majesty… this is not what you asked us to paint, this should not even be considered at all," her voice rising sharply.
